By Frank Macek
Every August, something pretty remarkable happens across the country — and here in Northeast Ohio, we’re right in the middle of it. It’s called Clear the Shelters, and if you’ve never heard of it, think of it as a month-long community adoption drive with one shared mission: help as many pets as possible find forever homes.
This isn’t just a feel-good story. It’s a movement. This year marks the 11th year of Clear the Shelters, and from August 1 through August 31, more than 30 shelters and rescues in Northeast Ohio are teaming up with WKYC Studios and our NBC and Telemundo partners nationwide to make it happen.
The idea is simple — and powerful. Shelters across the region are offering reduced or even waived adoption fees, hosting special events, and putting a spotlight on the dogs, cats, and even a few more unusual pets waiting for a family. And while the promotions help get people in the door, the bigger impact is that every single adoption frees up space and resources for the next animal in need.
More Than Just Dogs and Cats
The list of participating shelters reads like a who’s who of Northeast Ohio’s animal advocates. You’ve got long-time mainstays like the Cleveland Animal Protective League and Friendship Animal Protective League in Elyria. There’s Berea Animal Rescue Friends, Parma Animal Shelter, and Rescue Village in Novelty.
And it’s not just dogs and cats. The Herps Alive Foundation in South Euclid specializes in reptiles and amphibians. Parrot Hope Rescue in Mantua focuses on our feathered friends. There’s even Big Paws Large Breed Rescue, which helps find homes for — you guessed it — the extra-large pups.
Smaller, volunteer-driven groups are here too: Kamm’s Cat Guardians, Euclid Beach Cat Project, Rubber City Rescue, and Kitten Krazy, Inc. are all part of the push. Each has its own mission and style, but they share the same goal this August: get pets into homes.
Why August?
If you’ve ever visited a shelter in late summer, you know space is tight. Kitten season is in full swing, and shelters are often caring for animals rescued from neglect cases, strays found by good Samaritans, and pets surrendered by families who can no longer care for them.
Clear the Shelters comes at exactly the right time — when the need is urgent and the opportunity to make a difference is huge. Since the campaign started in 2015 with just one Texas TV station, it has grown into a national phenomenon, helping more than **one million animals** find homes.
Northeast Ohio’s Role
Here in our corner of the country, the participation is nothing short of inspiring. The WKYC list includes:
How You Can Help
Of course, adopting isn’t the only way to participate. You can donate directly to your favorite shelter at ClearTheShelters.com. You can volunteer. You can foster. And perhaps the easiest — you can share. Post a photo of an adoptable pet on social media. Tell your friends. Invite your co-workers to visit a shelter over the weekend.
Even one share could connect an animal with the right person.
Every August, something pretty remarkable happens across the country — and here in Northeast Ohio, we’re right in the middle of it. It’s called Clear the Shelters, and if you’ve never heard of it, think of it as a month-long community adoption drive with one shared mission: help as many pets as possible find forever homes.
This isn’t just a feel-good story. It’s a movement. This year marks the 11th year of Clear the Shelters, and from August 1 through August 31, more than 30 shelters and rescues in Northeast Ohio are teaming up with WKYC Studios and our NBC and Telemundo partners nationwide to make it happen.
The idea is simple — and powerful. Shelters across the region are offering reduced or even waived adoption fees, hosting special events, and putting a spotlight on the dogs, cats, and even a few more unusual pets waiting for a family. And while the promotions help get people in the door, the bigger impact is that every single adoption frees up space and resources for the next animal in need.
More Than Just Dogs and Cats
The list of participating shelters reads like a who’s who of Northeast Ohio’s animal advocates. You’ve got long-time mainstays like the Cleveland Animal Protective League and Friendship Animal Protective League in Elyria. There’s Berea Animal Rescue Friends, Parma Animal Shelter, and Rescue Village in Novelty.
And it’s not just dogs and cats. The Herps Alive Foundation in South Euclid specializes in reptiles and amphibians. Parrot Hope Rescue in Mantua focuses on our feathered friends. There’s even Big Paws Large Breed Rescue, which helps find homes for — you guessed it — the extra-large pups.
Smaller, volunteer-driven groups are here too: Kamm’s Cat Guardians, Euclid Beach Cat Project, Rubber City Rescue, and Kitten Krazy, Inc. are all part of the push. Each has its own mission and style, but they share the same goal this August: get pets into homes.
Why August?
If you’ve ever visited a shelter in late summer, you know space is tight. Kitten season is in full swing, and shelters are often caring for animals rescued from neglect cases, strays found by good Samaritans, and pets surrendered by families who can no longer care for them.
Clear the Shelters comes at exactly the right time — when the need is urgent and the opportunity to make a difference is huge. Since the campaign started in 2015 with just one Texas TV station, it has grown into a national phenomenon, helping more than **one million animals** find homes.
Northeast Ohio’s Role
Here in our corner of the country, the participation is nothing short of inspiring. The WKYC list includes:
- Cuyahoga County Animal Shelter in Valley View
- Summit County Animal Control and the Humane Society of Summit County in Akron
- Ashtabula County Animal Protective League
- Stark County Sheriff Dog Warden
- Holmes County Dog Warden’s Department
- And many more — from Medina to Chardon to Willoughby
How You Can Help
Of course, adopting isn’t the only way to participate. You can donate directly to your favorite shelter at ClearTheShelters.com. You can volunteer. You can foster. And perhaps the easiest — you can share. Post a photo of an adoptable pet on social media. Tell your friends. Invite your co-workers to visit a shelter over the weekend.
Even one share could connect an animal with the right person.
A Chance to Be Part of Something Bigger
There’s something special about knowing this campaign is happening in hundreds of communities all at once. From the smallest cat rescue to the biggest county shelter, everyone’s working toward the same goal: empty kennels.
And here’s the thing — every adoption is a victory. Every empty kennel means one less animal waiting. Every family that walks out of a shelter with a new four-legged member changes the story for that pet forever.
Frank’s Final Thoughts
Clear the Shelters isn’t just about lowering fees or setting adoption records. It’s about connection. It’s about that moment when someone looks into a shelter kennel and sees the dog who will become their hiking buddy, or when a child meets the kitten who will sleep at the foot of their bed for the next 15 years.
So if you’ve been thinking about adding a pet to your family, this August might be the perfect time. And if you can’t adopt, there are plenty of other ways to help make this year’s Clear the Shelters the most successful one yet in Northeast Ohio.
Because together, we can do exactly what the name says: Clear The Shelters.
There’s something special about knowing this campaign is happening in hundreds of communities all at once. From the smallest cat rescue to the biggest county shelter, everyone’s working toward the same goal: empty kennels.
And here’s the thing — every adoption is a victory. Every empty kennel means one less animal waiting. Every family that walks out of a shelter with a new four-legged member changes the story for that pet forever.
Frank’s Final Thoughts
Clear the Shelters isn’t just about lowering fees or setting adoption records. It’s about connection. It’s about that moment when someone looks into a shelter kennel and sees the dog who will become their hiking buddy, or when a child meets the kitten who will sleep at the foot of their bed for the next 15 years.
So if you’ve been thinking about adding a pet to your family, this August might be the perfect time. And if you can’t adopt, there are plenty of other ways to help make this year’s Clear the Shelters the most successful one yet in Northeast Ohio.
Because together, we can do exactly what the name says: Clear The Shelters.
Read more on wkyc.com